Mexborough and Swinton Times April 9 1937

Old Servant Honoured at Wombwell Main

“If a pit cannot be run with truth it cannot be run with lies. If the conditions are not as they ought to be, it is better that the management should be acquainted as soon as possible. If we know the worst we can deal with it.”

Mr David Cookson, general manager Wombwell Main Collieries propounded this maxim at a gathering in the map room at Wombwell Main on Friday. He was paying tribute to the loyalty of an official retiring on pension after 45 years’ service with the firm, and he said that what he perhaps appreciated most in the character of the person they were honouring was his absolute honesty and frankness.

“He called a spade a spade,” he said, “and that is the man we like. That is an essential characteristic in a capable official. He should not be afraid to reveal the truth however unpalatable it might be at the moment.”

Mr Dorlin, who was born in Staffordshire, had been with the warming company since 1892 and for 30 years have been a deputy, latterly in the Parkgate seam. Mrs Dorlin is a native of Chapeltown, Sheffield. Her father was the late Mr Thomas Lockwood, a well-known Wombwell character lived to the ripe old age of 93.

Lucky to survive

Mr a Penistone, who presided said that any man would survive the hazards of pit live to attain the age of 65 was lucky, and to that extent they could congratulate John Dorlin. Their old friend come through it all sound in wind and limb and they could only hope that he would show that caution and good judgement on the surface that he had displayed in the course of his work underground (applause). He knew that he spoke the sentiments of all the had no Mr Darling in wishing him the blessing of many happy years of healthy and peaceful retirement.